Golf tee



Feb. 7,

' 1,658,226 s. CLAUSING GOLF TEE Filed arch 19, 192? 2 4 4 K T} Z 4 .8 7

I %i% D 7 4 4 4 4 11v VENTOR ATTORNEY engaging supports Patented Feb. 7,1928.

UNITED- STATES 1,658,226 PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE CLAUSING, 01E PORTSMOUTH, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE VULCAN LAST COM- FANY, OF PORTSMOUTH, OHIO, A CORPORATION OLE OHIO.

GOLF TEE.

Application filed March 19, 1927. Serial No. 176,809.

My invention relates to golf tees.

It is the objectof my invention to provide a golf tee having a plurality of ground engaging prongs and a plurality of ball ongaging supports or prongs, so that a multiple point support will be provided for the tee, such points of support being separated to forma broad foundation for the tee.

It is a further object to provide a tee having a head with a plurality of spaced supporting points so that the ball will be suitably supported in position, but will have the minimum of engaging surface to impede its flight at the moment of departure from the surface or points of support of the tee;

Referring to the drawings: 7

Figure 1 is a plan view of the top ofthe tee showing the ball engaging portions;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of one form of reversible type of golf tee having a pinrality of similarball engaging and ground engaging portions; 7

Figure 3 is a. side elevation embodying a plurality of spaced supports and spaced ball Figure 4 1s a top plan view of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of Figure 3;

Figure 6 1s an enlarged endelevat-ion of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 des ignates a central section from which taper on either side the ground engaging supports and the ballengaging supports. 2 designates generallythe ball engaging supports, which'are preferably spaced at each of the four corners of the square intermediate body 1. Such support-s may besquare as shown inFigu -es 3 and 1 having their upper surfaces 3 cut on a plane parallel to the body surface planes and parallel to the ground plane or the points of support may be spaced at the four corners and consisting of sharpened points 4 as in Figure 1 and Figure 2.

The ground supporting fingers are located at the four corners of the body and consist of relatively long fingers relatively narrow in section designated 5 having sharpenedpoints 6. It will be noted that the exterior surface of these ground engaging supports and the ball engaging supports substantially throughout the entire length thereof are parallel and at right angles to the upper and lower faces of the body and at right angles to the ground surface. This facilitates the entrance into the ground of these fingers, and, due to the fact that there is a gradually decreasingarea between the inner edges 7 of these fingers, the ground is crowded in between the fingers so that a gripping action is formed between these fingers and the ground facilitating a very firm engagement of the tee with the turf. This is particularly advantageous in inserting the tee in either turf or loose ground as it crowds the mass of the engaging. earth in between these inwardly tapering fingers. V

The form shown in Figures 1 and 2 and Figures 3, 4 and 5 aresubstantially identical in essentials save that for the purpose of convenience, the form in Figure 1 can sup- 'portthe ball on either end or engage the ground at either end.

Inboth instances, the ball is supported upon the extreme four corners or points 8 providing theminimum of supporting surfacesfor properly positioning the ball.v

It will be understood that I desire to comprehend within my invention such modifications as may be necessary to adapt it to varying conditions and uses.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: a

1.'In a golf tee; a body having a golf ball supporting portion and a plurality of relatively long ground penetrating fingers, said fingers being inwardly and upwardly tapered so that the ground may be crowded therebetween, the ends of said fingers being sharpened by being formed angularly downwardly and inwardly to a point. 7

2. In a golf tee, a body having a golf ball supporting portion and a plurality of rela tively long ground penetrating fingers, said fingers being inwardly and upwardly tapered so that the ground may be crowded therebetween, the ends of said fingers being sharpened by being formed angularly downwardly and inwardly to a point, and the exterior of said fingers being formed parallel to one another. 7

3. In a golf tee, a square body, a plurality of square golf ball engaging portions mounted on the corners of said body having upper faces parallel to theupper face of the body, and a ground engaging portion on the other side of said body, said ground penetrating portion consisting of a plurality of spaced fingers mounted on the sides of said body.

a. In a golf tee, a square body, a plurality of square golf ball. engaging portions mounted on the corners of said body having upper faces parallel to the upper face of the body, and a ground engaging portion on the other side of said body, said ground engaging portion consisting of a plurality of spaced fingers mounted on the sides of said body, at the four corners thereof.

5. In a golf tee, a square body, a plurality of square golf ball engaging portions inounted on the corners of said body having upper faces parallel to the upper face of the body, and aground engaging portion on the other side of said body, said ground engaging portion consistingof a plurality of spaced fingersin'ounted on the sides of said body, at the'four corners thereof, having exterior surfaces at right angles to the body surfaces and parallel to one another with upwardly and inwardly tapered inner surfaces.

6. In a golf tee, a square body, a plurality of square golf ball engaging portions inounted on the corners of said body having upper faces parallel to the upper face of the body, and aground engaging portion on the other side of said body, said ground engaging portion consisting of a plurality of spaced fingers mounted on the sides of said body, at the four corners thereof, having exterior surfaces at right angles to the body surfaces and parallel to one another with upwardly and inwardly tapered inner surfaces, the eX- treine ends of said fingers being tapered inwardly and downwardly to form sharp points.

7. In a golf tee, an interchangeable tee consisting of a central square body, a plurality of oppositely disposed fingers, one on each corner of the body, the outer surfaces of which are parallel and the inner surfaces of which are tapered inwardly towards the body.

8. In a golf tee, an interchangeable tee consisting of a central square body, a plurality of oppositely disposed fingers, one on each corner of the body, the outer surfaces of which are parallel and the inner surfaces of which are tapered inwardly towards the body, the points of said lingers being sharp ened by being bevelled inwardly towards the ends of the fingers.

9. In a golf tee, a body, ball supporting ineinbers, and relat-ively long, rigid ground penetrating prongs oppositely disposed on the said body, the said prongs being adapted to be used interchangeably for supporting the tee or supporting the ball.

10. In a golf tee, a body, ball supporting members, and relatively long and rigid ground penetrating prongs oppositely disposed on the said body, the said prongs being of the same size and form so that they can be used interchangeably for supporting the tee or supporting the ball.

11. In a golf tee, a body having a golf ball supporting portion, and a plurality of relatively long and rigid ground penetrating lingers oppositely disposed on said body and adapted to give a substantial penetration regardless of the hardness of the ground, the said fingers being adapted to be used interchangeably for supporting the tee or supporting the ball. 7

12. In a golf tee, a body having a golf ball supporting portion and a plurality of relatively long and rigid ground penetrating fingers oppositely disposed on said body, the said. fingers being inwardly and upwardly tapered so that the ground inay be crowded therebetween, the said fingers also affording a substantial penetration regardless of the hardness of the ground, the said fingers being adapted to be used interchangeably for supporting the tee or supporting the ball.

In testimony whereof, I aiiix my signature.

GEORGE OLAUSING. 

